Submitted information and photos:
The Cobb Chamber named Proda Technology the 2026 Small Business of the Year at its Small Business of the Year Awards Luncheon, presented by 1885 Grill and S.A. White Oil Company.
Proda Technology is a nationally recognized, cybersecurity-focused managed IT firm — serving organizations across the United States. They’ve grown from a small founding team to more than 35 professionals. From 2023 to 2025, Proda experienced revenue growth by 50 percent. Their charitable giving has nearly doubled over that same period.
Their growth has been driven by three core principles: Investing in exceptional people; continuously improving operations; and staying relentlessly focused on protecting the businesses and communities they serve.
As the Chamber’s 2026 Small Business of the Year, Proda Technology will compete in the state’s small business of the year competition.
Competitive Application and Selection Process
To be considered for the Top 25 Small Businesses of Year, each hopeful candidate submits an application to the Cobb Chamber. The applicants must prove an increase in sales or unit volume, provide examples of innovation, discuss adversity and challenges, and thoroughly detail their community involvement. Applications are analyzed and considered by a group of independent community business leaders and affiliates of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
After all of the submitted applications are judged and rated, five finalists are selected based on their numerical score. The five finalists are then put through a second step in the application process – a site visit by an independent panel of judges. The visit is meant to be a fresh, in-person opportunity to present the ideals, practices, values and day-to-day operations discussed in their initial application.
2026 Top 25 Small Businesses of the Year
The Cobb Chamber honored the following Top 25 Small Businesses at the 2026 Small Business of the Year Awards:
41 South Creative InfoTank The Butcher on Whitlock Johnson & Alday, LLC Clementine Creative Agency kirpop CMIT Solutions of Atlanta Southern Crescent & Atlanta Northwest Manay CPA Inc DeNyse Companies Modo Modo Agency LLC DynamiX Web Design, LLC The Music Studio Atlanta Eclipse Networks Nothing Bundt Cakes Essayon Construction Group Perfect Image Essex Consulting LLC Proda Technology, LLC FruiTea Bubbles Café Riverside EpiCenter, LLC Gaston Street Eats Co. Summit Heating and Air Georgia Roof Advisors Warner Fuller Consulting Gillis Law Firm, LLC 2026 Business to Watch
In order to recognize the impressive accomplishments of many new Cobb businesses, the Cobb Chamber expanded its Small Business of the Year program to include the Businesses to Watch awards presentation. These are businesses that were launched less than three years ago and have already achieved substantial growth. Esteem Dental Studio was named the 2026 Business to Watch.
Minority-Owned Business of the Year
The 2026 Minority-Owned Business of the Year was awarded to Essex Consulting LLC. The award recognizes a small business that has attained outstanding business achievements and exemplifies the significant contributions made by minority-owned businesses in the country.
Woman-Owned Business of the Year
The 2026 Woman-Owned Business of the Year award recognizes a small business that has attained outstanding business achievement and exemplifies the significant contributions made by women-owned businesses in the country. The 2026 award was awarded to Manay CPA Inc.
Veteran-Owned Business of the Year
The 2026 Veteran-Owned Business of the Year award recognizes a small business that has attained outstanding business achievement and exemplifies the significant contributions made by veteran-owned businesses in the country. The 2026 award was awarded to Essayon Construction Group.
Family-Owned Business of the Year
The 2026 Family-Owned Business of the Year award recognizes a family-owned business owner for excellence in leadership and achievement. The 2026 award was awarded to DeNyse Companies.
Small Business Hall of Fame
The 2025 Small Business of the Year, 1885 Grill, was also honored during the awards program. The reigning small business of the year is inducted into the Small Business Hall of Fame, which includes all county and state winners of the Small Business of the Year award from Cobb County since 1982.
Community Service Excellence Award Winner
The Community Service Excellence Award is presented to a small business that has made a significant contribution to its community through impactful works of service. Modo Modo Agency LLC was awarded the 2026 award.
Related:
- Cobb company to donate roof to a veteran for Memorial Day
- East Cobb audiologist named AAP distinguished fellow
- Tenku Sushi restaurant announces Avenue East Cobb opening
- Celebree School of Marietta at Shallowford breaks ground
- Northside East Cobb Medical Center sold for $32.5 million
- Editor’s Note: A makeover for an old East Cobb retail center
Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!